SWS: Self-rated poverty up four points from rate in June

(Eagle News) — Self-rated poverty rose to 52 percent, a recent Social Weather Stations survey said.

According to the SWS, the 52 percent was four points above the 48% registered in June.

The SWS said that of the 52% self-rated poor families, 8% used to be non-poor one to four years ago, and 6% used to be non-poor five or more years ago.

The remaining 39%, or about three out of four poor families, have always rated themselves poor.

The SWS said the four-point nationwide increase in self-rated poverty was due to “sharp increases” in the same in Balance Luzon and Mindanao, “offset by a sharp decrease in Metro Manila and an unchanged proportion in the Visayas.”

According to the pollster, SRP rose by 12 points in Balance Luzon, from 35% in June 2018 to 47% in September, and rose by 5 points in Mindanao, from 60% in June to 65% in September.

“However, (SRP) fell by 17 points in Metro Manila, from 43% in June to 26% in September. This is a new record-low for Metro Manila, overtaking the previous record-low of 28% recorded in December 2000, June 2017, and December 2017,” the SWS said.

According to the SWS,  SRP was unchanged in the Visayas at 67% in June and September.